Although long distance relationships are filled with special challenges, once they start to become long term they often result in marriage.
If you've only been in a long distance relationship for a little while, then your odds are not so great that it will last.
If you do manage to get through the first year though, then there is a good chance that you're in a relationship that has what it takes to turn into marriage.
Many aspects that are mandatory to making a long distance relationship work are also very helpful in having a marriage succeed.
Consider these facts about long distance relationships:

• You already have a life of your own- Yes, marriage involves a life together, but long term it's also very important to have a life of your own.
  You need to have your own interests, hobbies, and some friends that are not dependent on your spouse.
  No matter how much you love spending time together, it takes a lot of pressure off your relationship when you're not dependent on one person for all your happiness.
  This is a big advantage for long distance relationships, because if you've survived them for any length of time you already have a life of your own.
  

• There's a high level of trust- Most of us will agree that trust is the foundation for any relationship, and once it breaks down the relationship is basically over.
  When you're in a long distance relationship trust is either established early on or the relationship ends because you don't see each enough to "check up on" the other person.
  

• You're less likely to become a creature of habit- All of us know someone who stayed in a relationship that was going nowhere simply because it was "comfortable.
  " It sounds like this is a safe way to go, but for a relationship this is a disastrous route to take.
  Years down the road all that coasting along in the comfort zone will leave you unhappy and wishing you'd gotten out sooner.
  Long distance relationships just don't lend themselves to sticking with someone out of habit.
  This is probably because they can be a lot of work, and generally you don't see each other enough for that comfort zone instinct to kick in.
  

All of the relationship aspects that are mentioned here are important things that need to happen in any healthy relationship.
You need to have a life of your own, you need trust and it is never a wise idea to stay in relationship just because it is comfortable.
Due to the nature of a long distance relationship, it tends to be apparent early on that these elements either exist or don't exist and the relationship survives or fails accordingly.